, 1887-10-23
THE "OLD H0SS" SALE.
Buying UncaIled For Goods at Auc-
ton Yesterday.
Twenty-Five Cents For a Diamond
Valued at $i75.
The Novelty of Bidding On An I'm
known Article.

.. known Article.
The semi-occasional sale of unclaimed
property made by the Pacific Express
company yesterday was an unqualified
success. The enterprise was advertised
in THE LEADER under the unique head
ing "Old Hoss," and attracted a great
deal of attention.
The American loves to patronize a lot
terry or gambling scheme fully as well as
the Italian, the man who will labor long
enough to purchase a fragment of paste
board which entities him to a possible
chance to gain possession of a large sum
of money for ar insignificant outlay.
The American ridicules the negro for
wasting his substance on the gigs and
saddles of the mysterious policy game,
and straIghtway purchases tickets for the
next grand drawing of some lottery con-
Quoted by a notorious gang of swindlers
under the cloak of one or TWO respectable
names. The possibility of securing some
thing for nothing is, aside from the natu
raj excitement incident to gambling of
any character, the inducement to indulge
in risks.
The "Old Hoss'' sale resembles greatly
the fish pond game ~ofbygone days. You
buy something at your own price, without
knowing exactly what it is, a "cat in a
bag" as it were. The conditions of the
sale are also similar to a Turkish mar
rage, where the husband is not allowed to
gaze upon the features of his better hall
until after the ceremony.
Henry Harrington and Capt. Nick
O'Brien. both old-timers at the business
and bearers OF most excellent regulations
as single-handed takers, oficiated as auc-
tioneers, while NJ. K. johnson, of the
Pacific Express company acted as master
of ceremonies.
The first article knocked down to the
highest bidder was a large bundle of blan-
kets wrapped In a wagon cover. Compe-
tition for owner of the mystery was quite
spirited, but a cowboy who seemed
determined to become the possessor of the
parcel knocked opposition out of the ring
by following an IS bid with an offer of
$l2. rs. Curiosity was of course at fever
heat as to its contents and all eagerly
watched the owner as he investigated
his purchase. When the wearer of the
broad brimmed hat delved into the inside
pocket of a valuable overcoat which he
took from the bundle and drew forth $25
in clean, crisp bills, the demand for
blankets increased at once. The pur-
chaser stated he knew he was securing a
bargain, the person to whom the property
belonged had met him on Powder river
and advised him to buy the bundle if
present at the sale.
Mier Frank, of VIM. Myers dry goods
house, invested six bits in the grand
drawing. His prize, though not valuable,
was quite a curiosity. The package con-
tanned a German Bible and a Family
Physician" Inside the former was a
promissory note for the sum of Sc, dated
Oct. 10, 1851. The amount was made
payable zone day after sight"
Doug. Rhodes thought he was buying
an instalment Of white shirts dirt cheap
when he paid $3.50 for a card to which
was attached a consignment of samples of
barbed wire.
Mr.. Willis, of the Inter Ocean, and
Geo. Astelle, the timer, had an idea that
a couple Of packages contained silverware,
but were disappointed to become pos
SCISSORS of about ten cents worth of patent
medicine for an outlay OF $l.25 each.
VIII Garvin, of Marks clothing house,
invested IS cents. The contents of his
box was 1000 handbills announcing the
appearance of the peerless Hermann, the
prestidigitator.
Some genius, who refused to give his
name, bid 25 cents for a small package,
and was delighted to learn that it CON
tanned a diamond pin worth SI75.
Trunks sold well, and many bargains
were secured in this line. Jas. Jones'
the expressman, not the burglar-became
the owner of one which he now refuses TO
sell for double the amount paid.
About $40 worth of chewing tobacco
packed in an unlabelled box, brought IS
cents. This was offset by the sale of a
consignment of dried fish for $II. Some
once fresh and sweet cake brought 81,
and curses loud and deep.
The crowd was good humored, and
many enioyed the sale hugely.